Overview & Reviews

A pioneering vehicle in many ways, the Toyota Highlander was one of the first midsize crossover SUVs to be sold in America when it debuted in 2001. With its car-based unibody design, the original Highlander provided many benefits over Toyota's more traditional SUVs, including better handling, higher fuel mileage, a quieter cabin, improved crashworthiness and easier entry and exit for passengers.

Since then, the Toyota Highlander has gone on to become one of the most popular crossovers available, appealing to shoppers who want a vehicle with SUV styling, plenty of versatility for hauling cargo and a third-row seat. The third-generation Highlander has the most seating capacity, while the second generation has the most rear cargo space. That said, a Highlander of any vintage is one of the better values out there for those seeking a comfortable, easy-to-drive vehicle that can carry a fair amount of cargo and passengers and handle snow and ice during the winter months while still delivering decent fuel economy.

Current Toyota Highlander
Redesigned for 2014, the current Toyota Highlander is a few inches longer than the previous-generation model and sports notably more aggressive styling. The cabin has also been modernized: Many of the cabin's previously hard plastic surfaces are now covered with softer materials, and the electronics are more up to date.

The Highlander is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Base front-drive models come with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. All other Highlanders have an impressively efficient 3.5-liter V6 good for 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine. There is also a Toyota Highlander Hybrid that delivers considerably better fuel economy. It is covered in a separate review.

Toyota Highlander shoppers can choose among four trim levels: LE, LE Plus, XLE and Limited. Highlights of the base LE include 18-inch wheels, a touchscreen display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth and an iPod/USB interface. Moving up to the LE Plus gets you a flip-up rear window, a power liftgate, a power driver seat and tri-zone climate control. The XLE's perks include keyless ignition and entry, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a navigation system and Toyota's Entune suite of smartphone app-based services. The top-dog Limited sports 19-inch wheels, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row captain's chairs, ambient interior lighting and an upgraded audio system. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, frontal collision warning/mitigation and lane-departure warning systems are also available on the Limited.

On the road, the Highlander's near-silent V6 engine is complemented by a liquid-smooth six-speed automatic transmission with the refinement you might expect in a Lexus. Acceleration is among the best in this class. Unless your budget will only allow the four-cylinder engine, the V6 is the way to go. Maximum passenger capacity is eight -- more than most other crossovers. The third-row seat is still really only suitable for children, but the second row slides and reclines, maximizing comfort. The interior looks and feels upscale and there are plenty of storage areas for your personal items. Overall, we highly recommend the Highlander if you're shopping for a large, three-row crossover SUV.

Used Toyota Highlander Models
The second-generation Toyota Highlander was produced from 2008-'13. It was significantly larger than the previous model in nearly every way, adding shoulder room, hiproom and legroom all around as well as additional cargo capacity.

This generation Highlander felt spry on the road and was easy to drive, with especially brisk acceleration coming from the V6 engine. We liked the quiet, roomy cabin that seated up to seven passengers. While the Highlander's third row was less spacious than those of some rivals, it was easy to reach thanks to a nifty 40/20/40-split second row with a removable center seat that facilitated walk-through access. Cargo space was also down compared to larger crossovers, but this Highlander should still be roomy enough for almost any family.

For 2008, the only available engine was a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6. In 2009 it was joined by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that made 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive were standard, and all-wheel drive was available with the V6.

Available trim levels, depending on the year, were base, Sport, SE, Plus and Limited. Standard equipment on the base Highlander included air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and the 40/20/40-split second row bench seat. The Sport trim level (2008-'10) added a more firmly tuned suspension, a rearview camera, a flip-up rear window in the liftgate and a power-adjustable driver seat.

For 2011, Toyota discontinued the Sport trim level and made most of that trim level's equipment standard on the SE (2010-'13). The SE also had a sunroof, heated seats, leather upholstery and an upgraded audio system. The Plus (2013 only) had similar equipment to the Sport. For the Limited, Toyota added 19-inch wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, upgraded upholstery and a front passenger seat. Major options for this Highlander included a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system.

If you're shopping for a second-generation model, take note that the 2008 through 2010 models had a less versatile third-row seat with a one-piece bench design rather than the 2010-'13 model's 50/50-split seat. For 2011, Toyota also mildly updated the Highlander's exterior styling.

The first-generation Toyota Highlander was produced from 2001-'07. It was powered by either a 155-hp four-cylinder engine or a 220-hp 3.0-liter V6. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard. In 2004 the V6 was bumped up to 3.3 liters and 230 hp, and models so equipped received a five-speed automatic transmission, while four-cylinder models soldiered on with the four-speed unit (and 5 extra hp). Available trim levels were base, Sport and Limited.

Base models came equipped with a respectable amount of equipment, including air-conditioning, power accessories, cruise control and a CD player. The Sport trim spiced things up with 17-inch alloys, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, a power driver seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The Limited added heated outside mirrors, power front seats, a fold-flat third-row seat (as of 2004) and an upgraded JBL sound system. Popular options included leather seating, an in-dash CD changer, a towing package and -- on the Limited model only -- a navigation system.

Shoppers interested in a used Toyota Highlander might want to confine their search to 2004 models and newer, not just because of the power increase, but also because a third-row seat and rear DVD entertainment system were newly available, enabling the Highlander to remain competitive with the strengthening crop of midsize crossover SUVs. Other significant changes for '04 included the addition of stability control and a tire-pressure warning system as standard equipment, as well as newly optional side curtain airbags for the first and second rows (which became standard on '07 models).

User Reviews:

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  Buy a Highlander!! - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Dewey - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This car in the most comfortable and fun to drive automobile I have ever owned. All features are within easy reach.

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  GPS Problem - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By JohnW - July 21 - 2:00 am

  When the GPS route Guidance voice comes on when the radio is playing the radio does not cut out. the route guidance and radio are on at the same time. All the cars ive had before the radio volume would cut out when the GPS route guidance came on.

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  Best car I have even bought! - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Marianna K. - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had this car about one month but I can honestly say that I love it to death already. It drives like no other SUV, midsize or larger size, that I test drove, and I test drove many. It handles beautifully on the highway and on local streets. The interior features ar nice and not too big and bulky which I like. I wanted the Limited model but they didt have it so I opted for the regular model fully loaded. Overall I think it is a great SUV for someone who wants the luxury of a car but also wants to be able to get around any weather condition. I love it!

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  Toyota Highlander - - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By G.HaBER - July 17 - 1:10 am

  It is dependable, roomy, has great seats that are wide especially if you had a complete hip replacement. Has great vision. Smooth riding like a luxury car instead of an SUV. Great in rain and wet roads. Handles with ease on the open road or on country area streets.

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  Very good vehicle - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Rick - July 15 - 11:03 pm

  The Highlander is not very exiting to drive but a very good all around vehicle. It has a smooth ride and is fairly quiet. We average 21-23 MPG. It has been rock solid without a single problem in 47K miles. I agree with the person who wrote in about the wind noise with the back windows down. It really hurts my ears. There is plenty of room for passengers, but at the sacrifice of a little more cargo room. I like that you can step right into it without stepping up or dropping down. Drove it from CT to FL and I wish the front seat was a little more comfortable. Once complaint is that it seems to require constant corrections to keep driving straight on the highway (alignment is fine).

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  Go 4 cylinder / Forget hi-$ hybrid - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By JMcVicker - July 15 - 9:56 am

  My wife and I have gone down to Florida, averaging 25 mpg with this 4 cylinder Toyota Highlander. The torque ratio is amazing and this SUV has good power on demand. We never felt threatened while on I95 dealing with the 18 wheelers. Were not anti-green, just anti-premium. Why pay over two thousand dollars for the hybrid when you can get close to the same real milage from this four? Wait until they come down in price. One mans opinion.

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  Sitting High - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By hondahappy - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Had driven Accords since 85, but was tired of being the lowest riding thing on the road! Tried many SUVs but like the handling of the Highlander better than most and now I can see over bridge railings, etc. Avgs. about 22mpg w/2WD V6. Wish that were a little better with recent gas prices, but havent ever checked it on just highway driving. Bought a used 2001 w/27,000 miles about 6 months ago and except for the aforementioned goofy cup holders and lack of console, I love it. Im not a small driver, and it is more comfortable than most any vehicle Ive driven. Plenty of room in the back seat even with my drivers seat all the way back.

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  SO Functional! - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By finestack - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this SUV because I needed the size and flexibility but really wanted a Prius (couldnt wait until the hybrid Highlander came). Glad I did it. Have already hauled many different oversized items - taken 2 long road trips - and commute daily 70 miles roundtrip. Zero problems. Winter gas mileage on the hwy was not too great at 22 mpg. Now that its warmed up Im closer to the 25-27 range estimated by the EPA. No issues with power at all.

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  Drives like a dream - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By B & R - July 13 - 9:50 pm

  We purchased our Highlander on Memorial Day weekend. Our previous car was a Chevy Tahoe which sat in our driveway most of the time being such a gas guzzler. We tried the Honda Pilot 2008 (we have a 2000 civic) & found it didnt compare with the Highlander. We needed the towing capacity plus smooth traveling ride & storage. We have the lighted running boards which are wonderful. I have short legs & love the lighting at nite to get into the car. The console in front & the lighted panel have all the bells & whistles you need when on the road. WE JUST LOVE THE CAR!

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  Miss my Jeep Grand Cherokee. - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Bud Mudge - July 13 - 4:33 pm

  Although there were things on the Jeep I really like, the Highlander is fine. The Highlander driver-seat-belt arrangement is difficult to reach when starting a drive. I miss the handles of the Jeep: they were where the side-air-bags are located in the Highlander so have to use the steering wheel as a "grab" on entering. I prefer the 4wd selector in the Jeep as opposed to the method in the Highlander which essentially is front-wheel-drive with automatic traction transfer to the rear wheels as sensors determine. Gas mileage of the Highlander V-6 seems to be about the same as the "in-line-six" of the Jeep; around 27-28 hwy. I also miss the gauges of Jeep (oil, etc.) and "warning lights" may be just a tad too late. Had leather seats in the Jeep with seat-warmer; no need for seat warmer with the Highlanders fabric seats. Dragging myself, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century so, I will eventually get used to the Highlander. In all, it has more bells and whistles than the Jeep and I driving with the manual on my lap at times.